Biren calls for honouring unsung heroes
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, September 29 2022: Asserting that everyone who had contributed in the freedom struggle against the British colonial rule deserves honour, Chief Minister N Biren said the government is taking up initiatives to find out lesser-known freedom fighters and honour them as martyrs.

The CM was speaking as chief guest of the inaugural function of a one-day national dialogue on Tribal Heroes in India's Freedom Struggle organised by National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav at the cente nary hall of Manipur University, Canchipur on Thursday.

Biren said that after Narendra Modi became India's Prime Minister in 2014, the Central government took up initiative at micro level to recognise all the unsung heroes of India's freedom struggle.

Everyone who had contributed in attaining freedom, fighting against British colonialism is now being honoured.

The government is taking up extensive activities to find out lesser known freedom fight-ers and honour them at the national level irrespective of their caste or region.

Mentioning that an Indian Coast Guard Ship was named after the state's freedom fighter Rani Gaidinliu, the CM stated that it was the right time to research and find out every unsung hero who took part in the freedom struggle and honour them.

He also mentioned the renaming of Mount Harriet to Mount Manipur in honour of the freedom fighters of Manipur, who were sent to cellular jail in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and how the state government erected memorial stone for those freedom fighters as part of the government's initiative in this regard.

There were two Nagas among the 22 patriots, who were exiled to Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Freedom fighters like Chirai Naga and Pukhramba Kajao have been ignored for long.

History shows that the people of different communities of Manipur fought unitedly against the British Empire.

Unfortunately, some divisive forces are trying to distort the history by breaking into pieces to build up individual or communal identity, which is very unfortunate, Biren said and added that the names of all freedom fighters should be promoted to the national level.

By choosing a tribal woman for the post of President of India, the current Union government under PM Modi has shown that it honours the contribution of every community, Biren said and appealed to everyone to continue to be a part of One India Movement.

It may be mentioned that the national dialogue on Tribal Heroes in India's Freedom Struggle is being organised across the country in 125 universities in remembrance of the unforgettable contribution made by tribal heroes in the freedom struggle.

Its purpose is also to introduce the tribal youth to the contributions and sacrifices made by the tribal community in the freedom struggle.

Manipur University vice-chancellor professor N Lokendra, joint secretary (NCST) Konthang Touthang, Tripura University history department's professor Sukhendu Debbarma, Vaibhav Surange of Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, faculties and students of Manipur University also attended inaugural function of the national dialogue, among others.

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